After finishing commemorative photos and a brief rehearsal,
the two proceeded to the wedding ceremony.
First, the groom—Yuzuru—entered.
Then the bride, Arisa, walked in with her adoptive father, Naoki.
After the hymn and scripture reading,
they moved on to the vows.
“Groom, Yuzuru Takasegawa. Do you take Arisa Yukishiro, here present, to be your wife, to love, honour, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer?”
At the pastor’s question, Yuzuru nodded.
Careful not to let his voice shake—or stumble over his words—he answered:
“Yes, I do.”
Then the pastor turned to Arisa.
“Bride, Arisa Yukishiro. Do you take Yuzuru Takasegawa, here present, to be your husband, to love, honour, and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer?”
“Yes, I do.”
Arisa answered softly, nodding.
Her voice trembled slightly with nerves.
Realising she was just as nervous as he was, Yuzuru felt a small sense of relief.
“Now, the exchange of rings.”
At the pastor’s cue, they proceeded.
Arisa first removed the glove from her left hand and handed it to the attendant.
Then they turned to face each other.
Yuzuru received the ring.
“Arisa, your hand.”
“Yes.”
He slid the ring onto her slender, pale finger.
It was such a simple act—
yet his hands trembled with tension.
“Now, Yuzuru.”
“Right.”
He extended his hand.
Arisa took it and placed the ring on his finger.
He felt the cool touch of the metal.
Once the exchange was complete, the pastor continued.
“Now… the kiss.”
“…”
With slightly trembling hands, Yuzuru lifted her veil.
“Arisa.”
“Yes.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too…”
She closed her eyes.
Gently, Yuzuru pressed his lips to hers.
When he pulled away,
her face was flushed red.
Reflected in her green eyes—
his face was just as red.
And with that,
the ceremony concluded successfully.
Next came the reception.
Given that this was the wedding of the Takasegawa family’s heir,
the scale was grand—
but in structure, it followed a typical reception.
Speeches were given,
the cake was cut,
congratulatory messages were read.
Midway through, Yuzuru and Arisa stepped out for a costume change.
“Arisa, are you tired?”
Once outside, Yuzuru asked.
She nodded with a faint smile.
“…A little.”
Fatigue showed on her face.
It was only natural—
so many unfamiliar faces, so many interactions.
“There’s still the rounds to greet guests… but if you’re too tired, we can skip it. I can go alone.”
Ideally, they should greet everyone.
But her condition came first.
“Thank you for your concern.”
However, Arisa straightened her posture.
“It’s only a little longer. I’ll see it through.”
Her face still showed fatigue—
but also strong determination.
“…Thank you.”
Before he could stop himself, Yuzuru pulled her into an embrace.
“Eh—w-wait…!”
She blushed, flustered.
“Y-Yuzuru-san! Someone might see… not here…”
“I’ll make it up to you later.”
“…O-okay. Thank you.”
She nodded shyly.
After changing, they returned to the reception.
They continued greeting guests,
pausing between entertainment and courses.
But while Yuzuru managed well,
Arisa’s exhaustion was becoming more apparent.
Maybe they should take another break—
just as he thought that—
“Hey there, Arisa-chan!”
Ayaka appeared,
with Chiharu and Tenka beside her.
All three had already greeted them earlier,
attending both as friends and as heirs of their respective families.
“Ayaka-san? Um, wait—”
“Come on, let’s have a girls’ moment.”
“Perfect chance, right?”
Without waiting, they whisked Arisa away.
She looked a bit troubled—
but not entirely unwilling.
“Uh… what was that?”
“They’re helping her out,” came a voice beside him.
It was Soichiro—now officially Tachibana Soichiro.
Having married into the Tachibana family, he stood there as Ayaka’s husband.
“When you’re surrounded by the future heads of the Tachibana, Uenishi… and even the Nagi family, there’s no easy escape,”
added Hijiri with a grin.
“And that means—we’re going too.”
“Wait, but if Arisa’s gone—”
“Idiot! If it’s just the groom left behind, it’ll look bad. Better we both disappear for a bit.”
Soichiro and Hijiri threw their arms around him.
Both slightly flushed—clearly tipsy.
“You guys…”
Yuzuru laughed despite himself.
Drunk friends clinging to the groom—
they were playing their part.
“Just for a bit, alright?”
“You think we’ll let you off that easy?”
“Drink more, come on!”
Urged on by his friends, Yuzuru drank—
and found himself thinking—
There really was nothing that could replace friendship.
